WC will definitely like those, thanks for clearing that up! You must look like a storm trooper in those things. Is falling off front side a problem in boots? Upside is no leash required - no lost board!
I scored about 15 kts (no sand lifting) and could have used a bigger board.
Choppie was super fun & way more flexie than the stonk, easier to transition, just a great feel and landed in the white stuff nice and spongy. Though upwind the stonk was easier (it did have 70 mm glass ins & was prolly more like 160 mm) I miss it..
But maybe upwind was easier because of the single concave (Choppie has a double fitted into a V) and the rolled down edges? I don't know.... Upwind - Stonk, feel - Choppie - anyway I'm getting some 2 1/2 to 3" fins to see if it makes upwind nicer.
Also I think I ride a little pigeon toed as, I want to point my rear foot forward (both directions), and the sync bindings I scored

keep your feet locked in, so I was pulling out of the straps and riding on the outside of the pads. This made sinking that rail easier
Did you get the 8 out last few days?
Other day A fella had his Noise 8 out and was up way easier than my rev11, he was on a directional but his kite was up 3 - 5 kts earlier than mine after the lulls. Not bad for 8 methinks!
Cheers mate
Sorry for War & Peace sized post. No wind 2day....
Cheers m8